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Gergely TG, Drobni ZD, Kallikourdis M, Zhu H, Meijers WC, Neilan TG, Rassaf T, Ferdinandy P, Varga ZV. Immune checkpoints in cardiac physiology and pathology: therapeutic targets for heart failure. Nat Rev Cardiol 2024; 21:443-462. [PMID: 38279046 DOI: 10.1038/s41569-023-00986-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
Immune checkpoint molecules are physiological regulators of the adaptive immune response. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), such as monoclonal antibodies targeting programmed cell death protein 1 or cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated protein 4, have revolutionized cancer treatment and their clinical use is increasing. However, ICIs can cause various immune-related adverse events, including acute and chronic cardiotoxicity. Of these cardiovascular complications, ICI-induced acute fulminant myocarditis is the most studied, although emerging clinical and preclinical data are uncovering the importance of other ICI-related chronic cardiovascular complications, such as accelerated atherosclerosis and non-myocarditis-related heart failure. These complications could be more difficult to diagnose, given that they might only be present alongside other comorbidities. The occurrence of these complications suggests a potential role of immune checkpoint molecules in maintaining cardiovascular homeostasis, and disruption of physiological immune checkpoint signalling might thus lead to cardiac pathologies, including heart failure. Although inflammation is a long-known contributor to the development of heart failure, the therapeutic targeting of pro-inflammatory pathways has not been successful thus far. The increasingly recognized role of immune checkpoint molecules in the failing heart highlights their potential use as immunotherapeutic targets for heart failure. In this Review, we summarize the available data on ICI-induced cardiac dysfunction and heart failure, and discuss how immune checkpoint signalling is altered in the failing heart. Furthermore, we describe how pharmacological targeting of immune checkpoints could be used to treat heart failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamás G Gergely
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- HCEMM-SU Cardiometabolic Immunology Research Group, Budapest, Hungary
- MTA-SE Momentum Cardio-Oncology and Cardioimmunology Research Group, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zsófia D Drobni
- Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Marinos Kallikourdis
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy
- Adaptive Immunity Lab, Humanitas Research Hospital IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Han Zhu
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Wouter C Meijers
- Erasmus MC, Cardiovascular Institute, Thorax Center, Department of Cardiology, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tomas G Neilan
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Tienush Rassaf
- Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, West German Heart and Vascular Center Essen, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Péter Ferdinandy
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- Pharmahungary Group, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Zoltán V Varga
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
- HCEMM-SU Cardiometabolic Immunology Research Group, Budapest, Hungary.
- MTA-SE Momentum Cardio-Oncology and Cardioimmunology Research Group, Budapest, Hungary.
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Perelman MG, Brzezinski RY, Waissengrin B, Leshem Y, Bainhoren O, Rubinstein TA, Perelman M, Rozenbaum Z, Havakuk O, Topilsky Y, Banai S, Wolf I, Laufer-Perl M. Sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors in patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors. CARDIO-ONCOLOGY (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2024; 10:2. [PMID: 38212825 PMCID: PMC10782769 DOI: 10.1186/s40959-023-00199-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized the prognosis of cancer. Diabetes mellitus (DM) has been shown to have a negative effect on patients treated with ICIs. Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) are effective antidiabetic therapies associated with reduced all-cause mortality and cardiovascular (CV) outcomes. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the prognostic value of SGLT2i on all-cause mortality and cardiotoxicity among patients treated with ICIs. METHODS We performed a retrospective analysis of patients diagnosed with cancer and type 2 DM (DM2) and treated with ICIs at our center. Patients were divided into two groups according to baseline treatment with or without SGLT2i. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality and the secondary endpoint was MACE, including myocarditis, acute coronary syndrome, heart failure, and arrhythmia. RESULTS The cohort included 119 patients, with 24 (20%) patients assigned to the SGLT2i group. Both groups exhibited a comparable prevalence of cardiac risk factors, although the SGLT2i group displayed a higher incidence of ischemic heart disease. Over a median follow-up of 28 months, 61 (51%) patients died, with a significantly lower all-cause mortality rate in the SGLT2i group (21% vs. 59%, p = 0.002). While there were no significant differences in MACE, we observed zero cases of myocarditis and atrial fibrillation in the SGLT2i, compared to 2 and 6 cases in the non-SGLT2i group. CONCLUSIONS SGLT2i therapy was associated with a lower all-cause mortality rate in patients diagnosed with cancer and DM2 and treated with ICIs. Further studies are needed to understand the mechanism and evaluate its benefit on cardiotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moran Gvili Perelman
- Division of Cardiology, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
- School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Rafael Y Brzezinski
- Division of Cardiology, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
- School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Barliz Waissengrin
- Division of Oncology, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
- School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Yasmin Leshem
- Division of Oncology, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
- School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Or Bainhoren
- Division of Oncology, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
- School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Tammi Arbel Rubinstein
- Division of Oncology, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
- School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Maxim Perelman
- School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Internal Medicine T, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | - Zach Rozenbaum
- Division of Cardiology, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
- School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Ofer Havakuk
- Division of Cardiology, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
- School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Yan Topilsky
- Division of Cardiology, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
- School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Shmuel Banai
- Division of Cardiology, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
- School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ido Wolf
- Division of Oncology, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
- School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Michal Laufer-Perl
- Division of Cardiology, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel.
- School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
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Waissengein B, Abu Ata B, Merimsky O, Shamai S, Wolf I, Arnold JH, Bar-On T, Banai S, Khoury S, Laufer-Perl M. The predictive value of high sensitivity troponin measurements in patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors. Clin Res Cardiol 2023; 112:409-418. [PMID: 36301334 DOI: 10.1007/s00392-022-02118-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized the treatment of cancer; however, at the potential cost of serious adverse events including cardiac injury. OBJECTIVE To assess the baseline and longitudinal changes in high sensitivity-Troponin (hs-Tn) in patients treated with pembrolizumab as a potential predictor for the development of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) and survival. METHODS We performed a retrospective analysis of cancer patients treated with pembrolizumab at our center. All participants had baseline measurements of hs-TnI prior to initiation of pembrolizumab (T1), with half of the patients performing follow-up measurements at their second encounter for therapy introduction (T2). We first evaluated the prevalence of abnormally elevated serum hs-TnI (> 50 nanogram per liter) at T1 and T2. We then evaluated the predictive value of abnormal levels at T1 or T2 in relation to the development of MACE (composite outcomes of myocarditis, acute coronary syndrome, heart failure, venous thromboembolism, cardiovascular hospitalization and cardiovascular mortality) and all-cause mortality. RESULTS Among 135 patients, the mean age was 72 years, predominantly male (61%). Abnormally elevated hs-TnI at T1 was observed in 7 (5%) patients and emerged as a significant independent predictor for MACE (HR 8.1, 95% CI 1.67-37.4, p = 0.009) and all-cause mortality (HR 5.37, 95% CI 2.1-13.57, p < 0.001). Abnormally elevated hs-TnI at T2 was observed in 8 (11%) patients and emerged as a significant independent predictor for MACE (HR 10.49, 95% CI 1.68-65.5, p = 0.009), but not for mortality (p = 0.200). CONCLUSIONS Abnormally elevated baseline and follow-up hs-TnI served as significant independent predictors for MACE, with an increased risk of development being 8-tenfold. Furthermore, elevated baseline hs-TnI showed a predictive value for all-cause mortality. Central illustration: Novel immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICIs) therapy has been found to revolutionize cancer therapy through increased activation of host immune systems to target and reduce tumor burden, but may come at the cost of serious adverse cardiac events. Identification of early biomarkers for the prediction and detection of these events is necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barliz Waissengein
- Division of Oncology, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Affiliated to the Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Bian Abu Ata
- Division of Oncology, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Affiliated to the Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ofer Merimsky
- Division of Oncology, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Affiliated to the Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Sivan Shamai
- Division of Oncology, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Affiliated to the Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ido Wolf
- Division of Oncology, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Affiliated to the Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Joshua H Arnold
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Tali Bar-On
- Department of Internal Medicine T, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Affiliated to the Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Shmuel Banai
- Division of Cardiology, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Affiliated to the Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Shafik Khoury
- Division of Cardiology, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Affiliated to the Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Michal Laufer-Perl
- Division of Cardiology, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Affiliated to the Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
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Eftekhar SP, Yazdanpanah N, Rezaei N. Immune checkpoint inhibitors and cardiotoxicity: possible mechanisms, manifestations, diagnosis and management. Expert Rev Anticancer Ther 2021; 21:1211-1228. [PMID: 34511008 DOI: 10.1080/14737140.2021.1979396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are a new class of anticancer drugs that enhance the immune system function and activate T cells against cancerous cells. Although cardiac complications are not common, they could be accompanied with high morbidity and mortality. AREAS COVERED Regarding the importance of cardiac complications and their subsequent burden on individuals and the healthcare system, this review attempts to discuss the mechanism, diagnosis, and management of myocarditis, besides recapitulating the possible mechanism of other cardiac adverse events. Moreover, we briefly discuss the concurrent administration of other chemotherapeutic agents. EXPERT OPINION Due to insufficient knowledge concerning the physiopathology of immune-related adverse events (irAEs) and their potential further complications, cardiovascular complications in particular and in the context of this paper's focus, cooperation of oncologists, immunologists, and cardiologists is necessary for the management of patients. Experimental approaches such as using corticosteroids are becoming a part of guidelines for managing cardiac irAEs. However, a unique algorithm for diagnosis and management is necessary, especially in myocarditis cases. Furthermore, more studies are required to resolve current challenges, including prevention of myocarditis, concurrent administration of other chemotherapeutic agents, and re-introducing patients with ICIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyed Parsa Eftekhar
- School of Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.,Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy and Autoimmunity (Niima), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (Usern), Babol, Iran
| | - Niloufar Yazdanpanah
- School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy and Autoimmunity (Niima), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (Usern), Tehran, Iran
| | - Nima Rezaei
- Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy and Autoimmunity (Niima), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (Usern), Tehran, Iran.,Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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